Liquid dispensing apparatus,motor and method



March 11, 1969 e. L. TURNER ETAL 3,432,102

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS, MOTOR AND METHOD Filed Oct. 3, 1966 Sheetof BY a ATTORNEY March 11, 1969 e. L. TURNER ETAL 3,432,102

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS, MOTOR AND METHOD Sheet i of Filed Oct. 3.1966 grlv INVENTORS March 11, 1969 6.1.. TURNER ETAL 3,432,102

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS, MOTOR AND MFTHC Sheet Filed Oct. 3. 1966INVENTORS ATTORNEY G.L G.A RA D,E. BY 020 a March 11, 1969 G. L. TURNERETAL 3,432,102

MOTOR AND METHOD LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS,

Sheet of 4 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Filed Oct. 5. 1966 United States Patent 15Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention deals with a highlysimplified wall-attachment fluid amplifier wherein the fluid (liquid)being delivered, for instance water from a lawn sprinkler, is used toautomatically control itself during delivery, without outside controlmembers, while providing turning power for the lawn sprinkler headportion, and in combination with a mechanical rotative shiftingmechanism, actuated by the flowing water, becomes self-reversing in itsrotative turning operation.

The present invention relates broadly to liquid dispensing methods anddevices, and more particularly to lawn sprinklers and means foractuating same.

Lawn sprinklers of the motor driven movable sprinkling outlet type havebeen universally made with the motor portion having pivoted movingmechanical parts in the form of pivoted vanes, gears, valves or the likefor moving the sprinkling outlet portion, in addition to reversingmembers commonly utilizing springs or toggle action devices where backand forth sprinkling over an adjustable size are is involved. A commonform of nonmotor driven lawn sprinkler has a vertically mounted rotaryhead with outlet nozzles which make the sprinkler head spin in ahorizontal plane due to including the nozzles of the head in a backwarddirection to provide a rotary jet reaction force. These lawn sprinklersgenerally have an uneven ring-like sprinkling coverage. Another commontype lawn sprinkler has a humped-up-center generally horizontal tubewith perforations in a row lengthwise thereof for delivering water in anup-and-over, back-andforth wave pattern with part or all of the waterpassing first through a mechanical motor which has moving parts in theform of pivoted vanes, paddles or the like connected to linkages toshift the horizontal tube back and forth about its substantiallyhorizontal axis. The moving parts of these motors wear out in time, andat the same time are constantly subject to plugging with foreign matterwhich may get into the garden hose through which the sprinkling water isdelivered to the sprinkler. The dismantling of these motors for repairor unplugging is generally relatively expensive and to be done byspecialists in repairing this type of equipment, if same can berepaired. It was a recognition of these problems and difliculties whichled to the conception and development of the sprinkler motor andsprinkler assembly of the present invention which utilizes a completelydifferent principle of operation from that of lawn sprinklers now on themarket.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provisionof a new type lawn sprinkler which may be operated by asprinkler-driving-motor which has no moving mechanical parts, aside fromthe water dispensing rotatable sprinkler head itself, although if thesprinkler is to be of the reversing type for sprinkling in a reversiblepath, a reversing mechanism may be used with same and which, in turn,may have a mechanical movable part or parts.

n ICC Another object is to provide a liquid operated motor for lawnsprinklers and the like wherein said motor itself has no movingmechanical parts and where the liquid passing through the motorautomatically shifts same to provide the power which rotatably operatesthe motor on a suitable support for same.

Another object is to provide a lawn sprinkler or the like having aventuri in the motor of the above noted type with no moving mechanicalparts.

Another object is to provide a new method of bistable or flip-flopshifting the flow of a liquid under pressure to provide rotative powerfor a motor having no moving mechanical parts.

Another object is to provide improved sprinkling coverage by a lawnsprinkler through the use of a nomoving-mechanical-part water-actuatedmotor where the flowing water automatically shifts from one position toanother and simultaneously is delivered from the motor outlet in firstone direction and then another while same moves in either direction.

Another object is to provide a liquid operated motor with a specialventuri having two substantially symmetrical suction inlets connected toseparate vacuum cavities or passageways at opposite sides of the streamof liquid passing through said venturi and which cavities arealternately self-priming by means of a portion of the liquid passingthrough the venturi and out of the motor so that the path of liquid flowout of the venturi alternately shifts from side to side in a bistable orflip-flop pattern.

A further object is to provide a liquid operated motor for a lawnsprinkler with said motor itself having no moving mechanical parts, andwherein said sprinkler has separate adjustable mechanical means forreversing the rotaiive path of the sprinkler and predetermining thelength of the arc, less than 360, to be sprinkled, with said motoracting as a sprinkler. and with which a separate fixed or adjustablesprinkling nozzle may be used, said nozzle preferably being in alinementwith the outlet of said motor.

Still further Objects and advantages of this invention will appear asthe description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the method and means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain illus trativeembodiments of the method and means of the present invention, suchdisclosed embodiments illustrating, however, but several of the variousways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a top view of one form of lawn sprinkler embodying thepresent invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the lawn sprinkler illustrated in FIGURE1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary and enlarged section view as taken along lineIIIIII of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section view of the inside of the motor as takenalong line IVIV of FIGURE 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged section view as taken along line VV of FIGURE 2looking in the direction of the arrows.

"FIGURE 6 is an enlarged and partially sectioned side view of a modifiedform of a lawn sprinkler embodying the present invention, and as seenalong line VI-VI of FIGURE 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 7 shows a top view as taken along line VII- VII of FIGURE 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view as taken along line 3 VIIIVIII of FIGURE 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the inside of a modified form of themotor shown in FIGURE 4 as taken along line IX-IX of FIGURE 6, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary end view as taken along line X-X of FIGURE 6,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary and partially sectioned view as taken alongline XIXI of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary and partially sectioned view as taken alongline XII-XII of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, it willbe noted that one simplified form of the sprinkler 10 is shown and thatthe Working details of same are shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. Thissprinkler has a base 11 having a water inlet connection 12 adapted to beconnected to a conventional garden hose 13 having a male coupling end14. This water inlet connection 12 is on the inlet end of the waterpassageway 15, FIGURE 3, with the outlet end of said passageway 15 beingat the top of said sprinkler base 11. This outlet end of waterpassageway 15, as shown, is substantially vertical and provided withinternal threads 16 which are preferably of the tapered pipe thread typeadapted to receive the threaded end of coupler 17 which is provided withlike type external threads. As shown in FIGURE 2, this coupler 17 ispreferably provided with hexagonal portion 18 so that same can beengaged with a suitable size wrench and tightened in place as shown inFIGURE 3. Rotatably fitting inside of coupler 17 is a tubular sleeve 19having an outwardly flanged lower end 20. A gasket 21 fits betweenflanged end of sleeve 19 and the end of coupler 17 to form a fluid tightconnection at this point while allowing sleeve 19 to be freely rotatablein said coupler. Coupler 17 and also 17a may be either of metal orplastic and it is intended that the showing be considered asdiagrammatically illustrating either. The upper end of sleeve 19 ispreferably of a drive fit into the lower end of the sprinkler headassembly 23, although the two could be joined with threads or theequivalent, and it is intended that such be considered to bediagrammatically shown. This sprinkler head assembly 23 has a mainsprinkling outlet duct 24 carrying an outlet nozzle 25, which may beplain or adjustable, on its outer end with such nozzle having a distancethrow and sprinkling pattern of adjustable or predetermined typesupplementing the water discharge from motor 26. At the opposite end ofsaid sprinkler head assembly 23 from that carrying the outlet nozzle 25is said fluid motor 26 which has no mechanical moving parts and whichwill be described in detail hereinafter. This assembly is especiallyadapted for continuous rotation where the nozzle 25 provides the distantsprinkling and the fluid motor 26 provides for sprinkling closer to base11.

A sprinkler 10a of modified construction is shown in partial section inFIGURE 6 with same having a conventional base 11 with water inletconnection 12 joined to a garden hose 13 by means of a male couplinghalf 14 threadedly engaging said inlet connection 12. The outlet of thebase 11 in turn is likewise provided with internal threads 16 into whicha modified form of coupler 17a is threadedly engaged. This coupler 17aalso has rotatably fitting therein a sleeve 19 with lower outwardlyflanged end 20 and a gasket 21 as before described. A modified form ofsprinkler 23a is fixedly mounted on the upper end of sleeve 19preferably by means of a drive fit into the lower end portion 22a ofsprinkler head assembly 23a although threads or the like could be usedif desired and such is to be considered as having been diagrammaticallyshown both here and in FIGURE 3. Here again we have a fluid motor 26aconnected to water passageway 15 through sleeve 19.

xii

Also connected to water passage 15 at the outlet end of sleeve 19 is apassageway 27, the outlet of which is closable by means of a valve 28.This valve 28 has a cylindrical portion 29 which closely but rotatablyfits cylindrical bore 30 in the sprinkler head assembly so that when inits forward posit-on, as shown in FIGURE 6, it will substantiallyprevent fluid flow through passageway 27 and out through passageway 24::which is the main outlet of the sprinkler head assembly with end 25aacting as the sprinkler outlet nozzle. Valve 28 is provided with steeprapid-action threads 31 which engage corresponding threads 32 in thebody 33 of sprinkler head assembly 23a. At the opposite side of thethreads 31 from the cylindrical end portion 29 of valve 28, the latteris provided with a cylindrical groove 34 in which is fitted an O-ring 35to prevent leakage of liquid backward past threads 31 of valve 28 while,at the same time, frictionally stabilizing valve 28 against shiftingunder conditions of operation. Fixedly mounted on the outer end of valve28 in conventional manner, such as for instance adhesively, is anoperating knob 36. Rotation of this knob through the interaction of thesteep rapid-action threads 31 and 32 will move valve 28 endwisecorresponding to the direction of rotation 30 that by moving valve 28forward as shown in FIGURE 6 the flow of fluid through passageways 27and 24a will be substantially stopped while rotating the valve 28 in theopposite direction will move the cylindrical portion 29 of valve 28 tothe left to progressively expose more and more of passageway 27 fordelivery of water to outlet duct 24a for sprinkling purposes through itsoutlet nozzle end 25a which it is intended to be considered asdiagrammatically showing either a plain or an adjustable nozzle. Thistype of construction where the outlet nozzle 25a and the outlet of fluidmotor 26 point in the same direction is adapted for eitherround-and-round operation or reversing arcuate operation.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 9 it will be n ted that the interior of.the fluid motor consists of several fixed portions including the inletend 37, FIGURES 3 and 4, which is substantially at the juncture of thetop of sleeve 19 and the starting end of outlet duct 24, FIG- URE 3. Aduct 38 extends from water inlet end 37 substantially to the inner endof waterway 39 which is between directional walls 40 and 41. These wallspreferably taper outward as seen in FIGURE 4 from the inlet end of water39 and then for a short distance adjacent the outlet end 44 of same haveinwardly directed curved portions 42 and 43. These inwardly curvedportions 42 and 43 terminate short of reaching each other and form anoutlet 44 which is preferably wider than inlet 45 which is adjacent theoutlet end of duct 38. Housing 46 of the fluid motor 26 has an outerdischarge opening 47 so that a liquid such as water flowing through duct38 and inlet 45 into waterway 39 will flow out through outlet 44 fromsaid waterway and out through outlet 47 of housing 46. The outletportion of duct 38 to and including the inlet portion 45 of waterway 39form the venturi 54 of the fluid motor 26. Directly behind directionalwalls 40 and 41 of the fluid motor 26 are vacuum cavities or passageways48 and 49, with said vacuum cavities respectively having fluid inlets 50and 51. These vacuum cavities 48 and 49 respectively terminatesubstantially symmetrically at opposite sides of the venturi 54 wherethe outlet end of duct 38 joins the inlet 45 of waterway 39.

The operation of fluid motor 26 depends upon several factors which willnow be explained in detail. Water flowing under pressure through inlet37 into duct 38, through venturi S4, and into and through waterway 39and out through outlets 44 and 47 will, if vacuum cavities 48 and 49 areplugged, permit the stream of water to flow in a substantially straightline through the motor and out of outlet 47. However, if vacuum cavities48 and 49 are not plugged, then the venturi 54 will create substantiallyequal vacuums at the outlet ends 52 and 53 of vacuum cavities 48 and 49.However, a little of the stream of water passing through waterway 39will gradually enter either or both of the fluid inlets 50 and 51 ofvacuum cavities 48 and 49, respectively. The vacuum created by venturi54 at the outlet ends 52 and 53 of the vacuum cavities 48 and 49 willdraw this water received at inlets 50 and 51 down through thes vacuumcavities and as soon as one of these cavities gets a little more loadedwith water than the other and the Water in one of these cavities reachesits outlet end 52 or 53, this will vary the vacuum at the outlet ends ofthese vacuum cavities and the stream of water passing through waterway39 will then shift out of a straight lin and substantially follow theinner surface of one of the directional walls 40 or 41. This waterfollowing the wall will come to the corresponding inwardly curvedportion 42 or 43 of same which will deflect at least a portion of thestream so that it passes out through outlet 47 at an angle to the centerline of fluid motor 26. Suppose, for instance, that the fluid motor 26is operating and the water is flowing along the inner surface ofdirectional wall 40 and then around the outwardly curved portion 42 ofsame the resultant stream, FIGURE 4, would be directed nearer to fluidinlet 51 than to fluid inlet 50. There would accordingly be a smallopening between the outer face of this stream and the outer end of fluidinlet 50 so that some air could flow into such inlet end 50 to followwater already in and flowing through same. On the other hand, thisstream would be closer to the fluid inlet 51 of vacuum cavity 49 so thatsome of this water would pass into th inlet end 51 of the noted vacuumcavity to follow air already in and flowing through same. As soon as theleading end of this so received water flowing down vacuum cavity 49reaches fluid outlet 53 this water would throw the vacuum created byventuri 54 out of balance and the stream of water flowing throughwaterway 39 will shift over from directional wall 40 to directional wall41 and along its inwardly curved outlet portion 43 and then throughoutlet 44 and out through outlet 47 of the housing 46 of fluid motor 26.Here it is to be noted that the stream now clears fluid inlet 51 ofvacuum cavity 49 and allows air to flow into this inlet to follow Watertherein while some of the water flows into inlet 50 of vacuum cavity 48to follow air therein. The vacuum created by venturi 54 thus pulls thpreviously delivered water followed by air down vacuum cavity 49 to itsfluid outlet 53 while the water flowing into inlet 50 of vacuum cavity48 gradually travels down the latter until it reaches fluid outlet 52which again unbalances the vacuum created at the venturi 54 and thestream of water again reverses and starts traveling down the inner sur-7 face of directional wall 40 to repeat the previous cycle. It is to benoted that we thus have a stream of water which is stable in two states,but only one at a time, namely along the inner wall or surface ofdirectional wall 40 or along the inner surface of directional wall 41.This fluid motor accordingly may be termed a bistabl or flip flopdevice, while the following of the water along one or the other of thedirectional walls 40 or 41 may in a sense be referred to as acentrifugal effect.

Again referring to FIGURE 4, if the outlet 44 from waterway 39 isconcentric with the longitudinal center line of the assembly andlikewise if the outlet 47 of fluid motor 26 is symmetrical with saidcenter line, and vacuum passageways 48 and 49 likewise symmetrical then,the stream of water delivered out through outlet 47 will substantiallyequally shift back and forth in step with the shifting of the vacuum atopposite sides of venturi 54. A device of this type could be held in thehand and through the back and forth motion of the water delivered fromthe outlet end 47 could be used to sweep or wash a sidewalk or the likewhile holding the fluid motor in a straight forward position and thenwalking forward with same. On the other hand, if this motor is to bepart of a rotary lawn sprinkler then among other things outlet 47 offluid motor 26 may be modified so as to not be symmetrical. This can beaccomplished for instance as shown in FIGURE 4 by placing a small waterobstruction 55 in one edge of outlet 47. This would cause the fluidmotor of FIGURE 4 to be subjected to a counterclockwise turning effect.This turning effect is produced by the stream of water being squeezedalong directional wall and curved portion 42 and then out through outlet47 with a portion of the stream hitting this obstruction 55 whichdiverts same slightly from a straight outward direction thus reducingthe clockwise rotation reaction component of this stream. However, whenthe stream reverses and follows the inner surface of directional walls41 and 43 with no obstruction in outlet 47 adjacent inlet 50 this willdirect this stream outward at an angle to the end of fluid motor 26 andthus produce a full counterclockwise turning effect so that the twocounterclockwise components are greater than the two clockwisecomponents with the result that the sprinkler head assembly will rotatein a counterclockwise direction. We thus have a fluid motor 26 which,when assembled as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 4, would, for the reasonsexplained, continuously rotate under operating conditions in acounterclockwise direction, although the rotation would be clockwise ifthe obstruction 55 were placed at the opposite side of outlet 47. Amodification which would result in producing a continuous rotationcomponent, even without obstruction 55 at one edge of outlet 47, wouldinvolve making one of the vacuum cavities or passageways 48 and 49 of adifferent size than the other. The stream delivered from outlet 47 wouldthen flow longer in one direction than the other to thus provide thedifferential turning component.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, with the interior of the fluidmotor 26 formed as shown in FIGURE 4, the main stream of water flowingthrough the sprinkler 10 passes through outlet duct 24 and outlet nozzle25 for sprinkling an area extending a considerable distance away fromthe point where the sprinkler sits on the ground. At the same time thefluid motor 26 is rotating nozzle 25 in a circular path, the waterflowing through the outlet 47 of fluid motor 26 will be shifting backand forth through its bistable or flip-flop action to sprinkle acircular area closer to the point where the assembly sits on the groundthan the main area sprinkled by nozzle 25 thus giving a more uniformsprinkling coverage. Tests with this sprinkler utilizing the fluid motordescribed above indicate that the sprinkler will operate on a much lowerpressure and rotate satisfactorily than is the case with other types ofmotor driven sprinklers. It was also noted in conducting tests with thisspecial form of motor that where the vacuum cavities 48 and 49 are smallthe reversal of the stream of water flowing out through outlet 47 ismuch faster than when these cavities were larger, as shown, forinstance, in FIG- URE 9.

The proportionate dimensions of one size of the fluid motor of anoperating model sprinkler made as shown in FIGURES l to 5, inclusive,are substantially as follows: The housing 46 is approximately 4% incheslong, 1 /2 inches wide at the outlet end, and 1% inches Wide at itsinlet end. The inlet 37, FIGURE 4, is about A inch in diameter andapproximately 1% inches from the inlet end of housing 46, with all ofthe passageways 38, 39, 44, 47, 48 and 49 being approximately /s inchdeep. Passageway 38 is approximately /8 inch wide as are outlets 52 and53. The inlet between walls 40 and 41 is about 5 inch wide, and theoutlets 44 and 47 are approximately inch wide, while inlets and 51 areabout inch Wide. Passageway 39 is approximately inch wide at its widestpoint which is about /4 inch from the outlet end of housing 46. Thepassageway 39 preferably smoothly curves from its widest point to itsoutlet 44. Substantially the only major variation between the passagewayconstruction shown in top view in FIGURE 4 as contrasted with that ofFIGURE 9 is that passageways 48 and 49 are enlarged as at 48a and 49a ofFIG- URE 9 which increases the volume of these passageways and SlOWsdown considerably the rate of fiip flop action of the stream of liquidpassing through passageway 39 and out of housing outlet 47 which ispreferably tapered sidewise as shown. It is the alternate drinking ofall of the water in either vacuum passageway 48 or 49 (4811 or 4911) atand through outlet 52 or 53 into stream 39 at venturi 54 whichdetermines how long the stream 39 will hug first one wall 40 or 41 andthen the other, and thus the shifting of direction of the water flowingout of outlet 47. While the noted dimensions form a typical operatingconstruction for a conventional size lawn sprinkler, they are by nomeans to be considered as a limitation on the invention but rather arepresented to better facilitate understanding the principle of opcra tionof same.

Instead of having a sprinkler which, in operation, continuously movesround and round, it is sometimes desirable to have a sprinkler whichwill be reversible so as to sprinkle an area less than 360 around thepoint where the sprinkler assembly rests on the ground. A sprinklercapable of doing this is shown in FIGURES 6 to 12, inclusive, and theoperation of same will now be described.

This reversing sprinkler construction utilizes a pivoted reversing bar56, FIGURE 8, which, under operating conditions, is moved back and forthabout pivot 57. The outer end of this pivoted reversing bar 56 isprovided with a reaction blade 58 which is movable from side to side ofoutlet 47, FIGURE 9 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Asillustrated in FIGURES 8 and ll, the lower end portion 221: of sprinklerhead assembly 23a is provided with notches 59 and 66 in the oppositesides of same and which form stabilizing guides for the reversing bar 56mounted on its pivot 57. At the opposite end of reversing bar 56, FIGURE8, from that carrying reaction blade 58 is a downwardly extendingoperator bar 61. The installing of the reversing bar 56 on the undersideof the sprinkler head assembly 230 is done by springing the side barmembers 62 and 63 of the reversing bar 56 sidewise, FIGURE 8, followingwhich the reversing bar is slid up over coupler 17a and then the lowerend portion 22a of the sprinkler head assembly until the underface ofsame is contacted, providing of course that the coupler 17a is alreadymounted in place on the sprinkler head assembly 23. These bar members 62and 63 are then allowed to spring back to their normal position wherethey will fit and be supported in notches 59 and 60 as shown in FIGURE11. With the reversing bar in this position and mounted on pivot 57 fthe rotary movement of operator bar 61 in either direction willautomatically move reaction blade 58 in the opposite direction in outletopening 47 of the sprinkler head assembly 230 to the end of saidopening.

In the assembly shown in FIGURE 6, it will be noted t that the coupler17a is provided with a cylindrical notch 64 on which is mounted a pairof reversing members 65 and 66 held in place by means of a snap ring 67which fits a groove 68 in the coupler 17a. This snap ring 67 holds thetwo reversing members 65 and 66 tightly together. Between these tworeversing members is placed an O-ring 69 which frictionally holds thereversing members 65 and 66 fixedly in adjusted position. The reversingmembers 65 and 66 respectively have adjusting cars 70 and 71, FIGURES 6and 12, which are at opposite sides of operator bar 61 of the pivotedreversing bar 56. The spacing of the adjusting ears 70 and 71 apart withthe operator bar 61 between them determines the length of the arethrough which the sprinkler head assembly 23a will travel during itssprinkling operation.

With the reaction blade 58 at one side of outlet 47 of sprinkling headassembly 23!: and with reversing members 65 and 66 adjusted to thedesired sprinkling arc size. the turning on of water Under pressure fordelivery through hose 13 into the sprinkler 100 will cause the sprinklerhead assembly 23a to move either counterclockwise or clockwise,depending upon the position of the reaction blade 58 in outlet 47. Ifthis blade, as seen in FIGURE 9, is at the lower end of outlet 47 thesprinkler head assembly 2311 will move in a clockwise direction asviewed from the top. This will move operator bar 61 toward adjusting car71 of reversing member 66, FIGURE 12. When this operator bar 61 reachesadjusting ear 71 the continued clockwise motion of the sprinkler headassembly 230 will start moving the reaction blade 58 toward the upperend of outlet 47, as seen in FIGURE 9. The stream of water passingthrough said outlet 47 will soon catch the reaction blade 58 and swingsame completely to the upper end of outlet 47 whereupon the sprinklerhead assembly 23a will start moving in a counterclockwise directionwhich will continue until the operator bar 61 comes in contact withadjusting ear so that further rotation with sprinkler head assembly 23ain a counterclockwise direction will start moving the reaction blade 58downward in outlet 47, FIGURE 9. where the flow of: water through outlet47 will again swing the reaction blade 58 to the lower end of its travelwhereupon sprinkler head assembly 23a will reverse its direction ofrotation and start moving in a clockwise direction as seen from the top.This shifting of the reaction blade 58 from side to side of outlet 47provides the arcuate sprinkling of the sprinkler shown in FIG- URE 6.

While two preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described herein, it is to be understood that minor modificationsmay be made in the sprinkler as well as the construction of itsoperating motor within the spirit and scope of the invention, as hereinset forth. It is also to be noted that while directional terms have beenused, same are not to be construed as a limitation of the inventionsince such use has been availed of to better describe the invention asillustrated.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the means andthe methods herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of thefollowing claims or their equivalent be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention:

1.. A lawn sprinkler which comprises,

(a) a sprinkler head assembly,

(b) means supporting said sprinkler head assembly in rotatable operatingposition and delivering liquid under pressure to the inlet of same,

(c) a fiuid operated motor forming part of said sprinkler head assemblyand having a liquid passageway therethrough for said liquid delivered tothe inlet of same,

(d) said motor having a venturi at the inlet end of said liquidpassageway,

(e) a pair of directional Walls inside of said motor forming said liquidpassageway therebetween and diverging outward from said venturi and theninward adjacent the outlet end of same so that the ends of saidpassageway between said directional walls are narrower than the widestinterior portion of said passageway,

(f) said motor having a vacuum cavity behind each of said directionalWalls,

(g) said motor having a vacuum connection from each of said vacuumcavities to said venturi with said vacuum connections beingsubstantially opposite to each other,

(h) said sprinkler head assembly having a fluid motor body containingsaid motor with said motor body having an outlet which is substantiallysymmetrical with the outlet from between said directional walls, andadjacent to same, and

(i) said motor having the inlet end of each of its vacuum cavitiessymmetrically located between the outlet ends of said directional wallsand the adjacent edges of said outlet of said motor body, wherein theliquid flowing between said directional walls, and at least partiallyfollowing one of said directional walls,

to side of said motor body outlet to cause said lawn sprinkler to travelfirst in one direction and then the (a) a housing having an inlet at oneend and an outlet at its other end,

(b) said housing having a passageway extending substantiallysymmetrically from inlet to outlet of same,

(c) a venturi in said passageway adjacent said inlet,

will be diverted at least moderately sidewise by the (d) said housinghaving directional walls substantially inwardly directed end of saiddirectional wall so as. symmetrically spaced from each other to form ato substantially clear the adjacent vacuum cavity inpassageway expandingand then retracting as it exlet while partially contacting the oppositeedge of tends from aid venturi to said outlet, said outlet from saidmotor body and delivering (e) said housing having a pair of vacuumcavities in some of the fluid stream into the inlet of the other samewith one being behind each of said directional vacuum cavity and whichliquid is drawn through walls, that vacuum cavity to the venturi whereit varies the (f) id ho ing having a vacuum connection from Vacuum atthat Point and Causes liquid how each of said vacuum cavities into saidventuri with through Said liquid Passagfiway between Said said vacuumconnections being substantially symrectional walls and substantiallyadjacent the first t i l and opposite to h other, and of same to shiftand substantially follow the other (g) id h i having i l t a h of aidvacuum of said directional walls with the result that the outi i b t eth d of the adjacent directional let stream continuously reverses backand forth as 11 d th corresponding edge of the outlet from the liquidPassing through the Vehhhi out of said housing with said housing outletbeing at least Said Outlet of said motor y Continues t0 as wide as butsubstantially no smaller than the outlet A p as set forth in Claim 1,wherein between said directional Walls, wherein when operat- Said motory has walls for Producing gl'ealfil ing said motor on a liquid such aswater the stream turning reaction in one direction than in the other tof water passing through id passageway between cause i sprinkler dassembly to rotate in one said directional walls will shift back andforth as it direction. passes through said housing outlet so as touncover A Sprinkler 35 Set forth in Claim wherein one vacuum cavityinlet while delivering some water Un means for producing greater turningreaction to the inlet of the other vacuum cavity, with such in onedirection than the other is at the outlet of said water entering hvacuum cavity inlet flowing motor Y and is in the form of a reactionmeans through said vacuum cavity to its connection to said normallylocated at one Side and then the other of venturi which then unbalancesthe vacuum produced Said motor y Outlet and shifts the Water flowsidewise in said passageway A lawn Sprinkler as Set forth in Claim 3,wherein between said directional walls and out of said housthere is anarm on the end of which Said reaction ing outlet so as to uncover theother vacuum cavity means is mounted, inlet and deliver water into theopposite vacuum cooperating means on Said motor body and Said cavityinlet for flow therethrough to the other inlet arm for Pivotallymounting and Supporting the latter connection to said venturi to againunbalance the with said reaction means movable with said arm vacuumproducgd and hift the fl f water id from fi to Side Of Said mOtOl' yOutlet, and wise in the opposite direction to thus continue the meansShifting Said reaction means from Side 40 series of back and forth flowof water from the outlet of said housing. 8. The fluid operated motor asset forth in claim 7,

other. 5. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 1, wherein its methodof operation comprises wherein there is (a) means utilizing the back andforth shifting of said liquid flow out of the outlet of said housing topro- (a) delivering liquid under pressure through the inlet thereof,

(b) passing said liquid through a vacuum producing (a) varying thereaction force of said back and forth oscillating discharge liquid sothat it is greater at one side than the other to produce a turningforce.

7. A fluid operated motor for lawn sprinklers and other uses, whichcomprises duce a turning force on said housing. 9. A fluid operatedmotor as set forth in claim 7,

wherein p y, (a) said housing passageway extending substantially and atOnce delivering Said Vacuum producing symmetrically from inlet to outletof same is relaliquld through a gradually expanding and then tively wideand thin with the inlets to said vacuum tracting SubstantiallySymmetrical passageway and cavities being alongside the thin edges ofthe outlet discharging same out of the latter, f i housing,

((1) alternately returning a portion of said discharge 1 Aiawn sprinklerhi h comprises,

liquid first to one side and then the other of said (a) abasehavingasupporting b t tion, vacl'lunl Produclng passageway5111159111131! at P- (b) said base havingatubular passagewaytherethrough poslte sldesof same where it joins said flow of liquid withan upwardly i d Outlet b t ti ll creahng F Vacuum, f pendicular to saidbottom portion,

( followlflg h POrtlorl 0f 531d hq delivered (c) said base having aconnecting means at the inlet of alternately to sand Vacuum Pmducmgpassageway said passageway and connecting means at the outlet with a gasflow portion, whereby said alternately reth f turned portions of 1iquidwill alternately vary the (d) a coup! meal-l5 h i a connecting means forVacuum effect of 531d flow of Vacuum creating liquid joining same tosaid connecting means at the outlet so that the liquid passing out ofsaid substantially f Said base,

Symmetrical passageway Will oscillate hack and fOTth (e) said couplermeans having a longitudinal bore full in step with the alternate returnof said portions of l h h f,

liquid followed y gas 10 Said Vacuum Producing (f) a sleeve having atubular body and an outturned p y flange on its inlet end with saidtubular body closely A lawn Sprinkle!" E15 Sgt forth in Claim whereinbut rotatably fitting the longitudinal bore of said said method ofoperation includes coupler,

(g) a ring gasket fitting between said outturned flange of said sleeveand the inlet end of said coupler so that when said coupler is tightenedin place on said base, said sleeve and gasket will be freely rotatablewhile forming a seal under operating conditions between said flange andthe inlet end of said coupler,

(h) a sprinkler head assembly having a body portion with a downwardlyand endwise projecting fluid inlet boss at the inlet end of the same,

(i) the outlet end of said body portion being moderately inclinedupwardly from said boss when mounted in rotary operating position onsaid base,

(j) said sleeve extending through and above the upper end of saidcoupler,

(k) means joining the upper end portion of said sleeve in fluid tightmanner to the lower inlet end portion of said boss on the inlet end ofsaid body portion of said sprinkler head assembly,

(I) a fluid motor forming a part of said sprinkler head assembly andhaving a liquid passageway therethrough,

(m) said fluid motor having a venturi at the inlet end of same,

(n) a pair of directional walls inside of said motor forming said liquidpassageway therebetween and diverging gradually outward from saidventuri and then inward in limited amount adjacent the outlet end ofsame so that the ends of said passageway are narrower than an interiorportion thereof,

(0) said motor having a vacuum cavity behind each of said directionalwalls,

(p) said motor also having a vacuum connection from each of said vacuumcavities to said venturi with said vacuum connections beingsubstantially symmetrical and substantially opposite to each other,

(q) said fluid motor body having an outlet approximately 215 large asthe outlet from between said directional walls, substantiallysymmetrical with, and adjacent same, and

(r) said vacuum cavities having their inlet ends substantiallysymmetrically located between the outlet ends of said directional wallsand the adjacent edges of said outlet of said fluid motor body, whereinthe liquid flowing between said directional walls, and at leastpartially following one of said directional walls, will be diverted atleast moderately sidewise by the inwardly directed end of saiddirectional wall so as to substantially clear the adjacent vacuum cavityinlet while partially contacting the opposite edge of said outlet fromsaid fluid motor body and delivering some of the fluid stream into theinlet of the other vacuum cavity and which liquid is drawn through thatvacuum cavity to the venturi where it varies the vacuum at that pointand causes the liquid flow through said liquid passageway between saiddirectional walls and substantially adjacent the first of same to shiftand substantially follow the other of said directional walls with theresult that the outlet stream continuously reverses back and forth asthe liquid passing through the venturi and out of said outlet of saidliquid motor body continues to flow and the vacuum at opposite sides ofsaid venturi connected to said vacuum chambers alternately changes.

11. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 10, wherein (a) said fluidmotor body outlet has a small obstruction at one side of same so as tohave the flowing liquid passing back and forth through said outletimpinge on one side of said motor body outlet more than the other toproduce a turning effect on said sprinkler head assembly in thedirection of the side of said motor body outlet having said obstruction.

12. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 11, wherein (a) said smallobstruction is in the form of a reaction blade,

(b) means in the form of an arm on the outer end of which is mountedsaid reaction blade so as to be shiftable with it,

(c) cooperative means on said motor body and arm for supporting andpivotally mounting the latter with said reaction blade movable from sideto side of said liquid motor body outlet,

(d) downward and rearward projecting means on the end of said arm remotefrom said reaction blade end,

(e) a pair of independently adjustable reversing members shiftably androtatably mounted on said coupler with an car on each of them, and withthe projecting means of said arm between and contaetable by them, and

(f) means for adjustably holding said pair of reversing members inpredetermined adjusted position for actuating said shiftable arm firstin one direction and then the other under operating conditions to thusshift said reaction blade from side to side of said fluid motor bodyoutlet to limit to a predetermined amount the sprinkling arc of the lawnsprinkler.

13. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 11, wherein (a) said bodyportion has a sprinkling outlet means for liquid in addition to theoutlet from said liquid motor,

(b) said sprinkling outlet being substantially in the same verticalplane as includes the inlet and outlet of said fluid motor so that samewill allow said fluid motor to control the direction of rotation of saidlawn sprinkler.

14. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 13, wherein (a) said fluidmotor includes means for controlling the flow of liquid from the inletof said fluid motor to and through said sprinkling outlet means.

15. A lawn sprinkler as set forth in claim 14, wherein (a) said meansfor controlling the flow of liquid to and through said sprinkling outletmeans is in the form of an adjustable valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,619,383 11/1952 Jepson 2392312,691,547 10/1954 Campbell 239-255 X 2,745,699 5/1956 Orr 23923l3,159,168 12/1964 Reader l37--81.5 3,244,189 4/1966 Bailey l37-8l.53,331,380 7/1967 Schonfeld et al. 137-815 3,348,562 10/1967 Ogren137-815 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

M. V. MAR, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

